There are few living legends of motorcycling we wish we could ride like, but if we could emulate anyone when we’re in our 80s then Sammy Miller is definitely top of our list.
While many of us have been stuck indoors for much of the lockdown period, Miller – a championship winning motorcycle racer on the roads and in trials – has been keeping himself nice and occupied with a bit of back yard riding.
We first featured Sammy on Visordown in April with a clip posted to his Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum Facebook page showing him busily keeping active with a spot of light trials riding on a classic but pristine-looking BSA machine.
It formed part of a new documentary summarising a motorcycle career that has spanned an incredible eight decades and led to 1400 competition wins in multiple disciplines. An incredible achievement no matter how you look at it.
The documentary itself is incredibly interesting and a fascinating insight into a tremendously talented and dedicated competitor, making it well worth the time of a watch.
However, we just love the opening couple of minutes as Sammy gets a little fancy on the BSA pulling a cracking wheelie and looking a limber and poised as any trials rider would today.
Beyond trials competition, Sammy went on to tame legendary bikes like the NSU (dustbin fairing) at events like the North West 200 and the Ariel at the Isle of Man TT.
After Miller became bemused with the UK motorcycle industry and its ruling accountants; he was approached by Bultaco to help develop the Sherpa into a trials machine. That bike became the Sherpa T a trials bike that changed the face of competitive trials riding.
Today, Sammy helps to run the Sammy Miller Museum in Hampshire, a place that clearly helps to keep him you in mind, body, and soul.
